The Houston Tigers continue to find ways to win.
Senior Kolby Walker doubled twice and knocked in three runs Monday afternoon as HHS edged Cabool 5-3.
The Tigers, who won their opening game in the South Central Association, improved to 5-1. Three of the victories have been by two runs or less.
“We’re doing things right,” Houston coach Brent Hall said. “We’re hustling, backing up bases, throwing strikes and making plays. When you do that, good things are going to happen.”
HHS got another strong outing from junior Stetson Welch, who scattered six hits in the complete-game victory. He struck out six and allowed two earned runs.
Although Stetson Welch doesn’t throw hard, he has been successful working down in the zone and keeping batters off-balance. He has two victories, two saves and team-best 2.57 ERA through six games.
“You watch him pitch and wonder how he does it, but he does it,” Hall said. “He’s a competitor. He thinks that he can get anybody out. That’s the mentality he has.”
Junior Kyle Wilson had a two-out single in the third inning to break a 2-2 tie. The Tigers never trailed again.
Walker, who had a RBI double in the first, doubled home Nathan Poynter and Tanner Cantrell in the fourth to make it 5-2.
Walker and Ethan Kelley had two hits apiece for the Tigers. Five of Walker’s six hits this season have been doubles.
Houston received votes in the statewide poll released Monday.
“We’re just playing some really solid baseball right now,” Hall said.
Last Tuesday, the Tigers’ unbeaten start to the season was snapped with an 8-1 loss at Rolla.
Houston managed just three hits. One was a solo home run by Cantrell in the top of the fourth.
Kelley surrendered five hits and six runs –– five earned –– in three innings in the loss. He struck out three and walked four.
JUNIOR VARSITY: Cameron Root’s game-winning single gave the JV Tigers a 5-4 victory last Monday against Seymour.
Trevor Motzkus struck out eight batters in the five-inning victory.
Tanner was 2-for-3 with an RBI for Houston.
BOX SCORES
Monday’s game
Houston 5, Cabool 3
CHS 011 010 0 – 3 6 0
HHS 201 200 x – 5 7 1
HHS (ab-r-h-bi) – Ethan Kelley ss 4-1-2-0. Nathan Poynter 2b 4-1-1-0. Tanner Cantrell 1b 1-1-0-0. Whitley Welch c 3-0-0-0. Kolby Walker 1b 3-0-2-3. Stetson Welch p 2-0-1-0. Kyle Wilson lf 3-0-1-1. Ty Wilkins cf 3-0-0-0. Tyler Burris rf 2-0-0-0. Trevor Motzkus cr 0-1-0-0. Matt Knarr cr 0-1-0-0. Totals 25-5-7-4.
2B: Walker 2, Kelley. 3B: SWelch. SB: Wilkins, Knarr. HBP: Burris
Winning pitcher: SWelch (2-0)
Last Tuesday’s game
Rolla 8, Houston 1
HHS 000 100 0 – 1 3 1
RHS 132 200 x – 8 10 0
HHS (ab-r-h-bi) – Ethan Kelley p 2-0-0-0. Nathan Poynter 2b 3-0-0-0. Tanner Cantrell ss 3-1-1-1. Whitley Welch c 3-0-1-0. Kolby Walker 1b 3-0-0-0. Stetson Welch 3b 3-0-0-0. Kyle Wilson lf 3-0-0-0. Ty Wilkins cf 1-0-0-0. Tyler Burris rf 2-0-1-0. Totals 23-1-3-1.
HR: Cantrell.
Losing pitcher: Kelley (1-1).
- Thursday at Ava, 4:30 p.m.
- Friday vs. Cabool at Plato Tournament, 2 p.m.
- Friday vs. Plato at Plato Tournament, 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday vs. Newburg at Plato Tournament, 9 a.m.
- Monday at Willow Springs, 4 p.m.